What is a potential complication of untreated hyperglycemia in diabetic patients?

Untreated hyperglycemia in diabetic patients can lead to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is characterized by high levels of ketones in the blood resulting from the breakdown of fatty acids, which occurs when the body cannot use glucose for energy due to an insufficient amount of insulin. This condition is particularly common among individuals with type 1 diabetes but can also occur in those with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances.

As hyperglycemia continues without management, it can cause the body to become increasingly acidic due to the accumulation of ketones, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, and confusion. If not treated promptly, DKA can progress to a potentially life-threatening situation requiring emergency medical intervention.

Other options, while they can be complications or related conditions, do not directly stem from untreated hyperglycemia in the same way that DKA does. For example, hypertension and heart failure are more associated with the long-term effects of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors rather than immediate consequences of high blood sugar levels. Asthma attacks are unrelated to hyperglycemia and involve different pathophysiological processes altogether. Thus, DKA stands out as the potential complication that is most directly linked to untreated hypergly